Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers dropped to 4-2 on Thursday and lost a game in the AFC North race to the Cincinnati Bengals. Just 10 days into Joe Flacco’s Bengals tenure following a trade from the Cleveland Browns, the 40-year-old quarterback threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a game where the Bengals never turned the ball over.
The Steelers’ secondary inarguably had a rough day against one of, if not the most dynamic wide receiver duo in football.
While the Steelers’ secondary hasn’t been the elite unit that Mike Tomlin envisioned it to be during training camp, he isn’t hitting the panic button.
“It certainly hasn’t met my vision, to this point,” Tomlin said. “But I’m not discouraged.”
During training camp, Tomlin alluded to the Bengals while speaking on an episode of The Pivot podcast. While talking about Pittsburgh’s defense, Tomlin said the Steelers need to be able to match up with opponents in coverage, and seemed confident the team finally had the right pieces in place.
“I feel like we can do it against anybody,” Tomlin said.
Ja’Marr Chase set a new Bengals franchise record with 16 receptions against the Steelers, winning matchups specifically against Ramsey and Porter Jr. Chase is tied for ninth all-time for catches in a single game. He totaled 161 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
Tee Higgins also had a good day at the office with Flacco pulling the levers for the offense, catching six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 16 yards per catch and ended the game with a 28-yard dagger to seal the game.
“We’ve got good people there. Good players,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “Guys that have good relationships with the game. We’re going to keep working.”
Porter Jr. was flagged for two pass interference penalties against Bengals receivers and has been flagged for 22 penalties in 36 career games.
“I imagine those two receivers have something to do with it,” Tomlin said when asked about the two pass interferences.
Safeties DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, and Juan Thornhill also struggled in coverage as the Steelers allowed 33 points.
Cincinnati had combined to score nine first-half points in its previous four games. The Bengals scored 17 in the second quarter alone. The Steelers are 25th in the league in total yards (308.2) and 19th in passing yards (203).
The secondary will be tested again, hosting Jordan Love and the 4-1-1 Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. It will be Aaron Rodgers’ first-ever game against the team that drafted him and won a Super Bowl with him.
